Integrated Cooling Solution For Spinning Sensors

ABSTRACT

This technology relates to a system for cooling sensor components. The cooling system may include a sensor which has a sensor housing, a motor, a main vent, and a side vent. Internal sensor components may be positioned within the sensor housing. The motor may be configured to rotate the sensor housing around an axis. The rotation of the sensor housing may pull air into an interior portion of the sensor housing through the main vent, and the air pulled into the interior portion of the sensor housing may be exhausted out of the interior portion of the sensor housing through the side vent.

BACKGROUND

Autonomous vehicles, for instance, vehicles that do not require a humandriver, can be used to aid in the transport of passengers or items fromone location to another. Such vehicles may operate in a fully autonomousmode where passengers may provide some initial input, such as a pickupor destination location, and the vehicle maneuvers itself to thatlocation without the need for additional input from the passenger or anyother human. Thus, such vehicles may be used to provide transportationservices.

Various types of vehicles, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, busses,boats, airplanes, helicopters, lawn mowers, recreational vehicles,amusement park vehicles, farm equipment, construction equipment, trams,golf carts, trains, trolleys, etc., may be equipped with various typesof sensors in order to detect objects in the vehicle's environment. Forexample, vehicles, such as autonomous vehicles, may include sensors suchas LIDAR, radar, sonar, camera, or other such imaging sensors that scanand record data from the vehicle's environment. Sensor data from one ormore of these sensors may be used to detect objects and their respectivecharacteristics (position, shape, heading, speed, etc.).

Operation of these sensors may be adversely affected by the buildup ofheat within the sensor itself. Typically, the sensors include a housingto protect the internal sensor components of the sensors from debris andcontaminants, but over time, the housing may trap solar heat, as well asheat generated by the various internal components of the sensor. Assuch, the sensor components may be subjected to sub-optimal temperatureconditions during operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the disclosure may be directed to cooling sensorcomponents. Some aspects may include a system for cooling sensorcomponents, the system comprising: a sensor having a sensor housing andinternal sensor components positioned within the sensor housing; amotor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the sensor housingaround an axis; a main vent; and a side vent, wherein the rotation ofthe sensor housing pulls air into an interior portion of the sensorhousing through the main vent, and wherein the air pulled into theinterior portion of the sensor housing is exhausted out of the sensorhousing through the side vent.

In some instances, the main vent may be positioned on a top portion ofthe sensor housing. In some examples, the side vent may positioned on aside wall of the sensor housing closer to a base portion of the sensorhousing than the top portion.

In some instances, the main vent may be positioned on a base portion ofthe sensor housing. In some examples, the side vent may be positioned ona side wall of the sensor housing closer to a top portion of the sensorhousing than the bottom portion.

In some instances, the system may further comprise one or more guideblades fixed relative to the sensor housing, wherein the one or moreguide blades are configured to force the air pulled into the interiorportion of the sensor housing radially outward from the axis. In someexamples, the motor may be configured to rotate the one or more guideblades to force the air pulled into the interior portion of the sensorhousing radially outward from the axis.

In some instances, the system may further comprise one or more contouredblades fixed relative to the sensor housing, wherein the one or morecontoured blades are configured to force the air pulled into theinterior portion of the sensor housing through the side vent. In someexamples, the motor may be configured to rotate the one or morecontoured blades to force the air pulled into the interior portion ofthe sensor housing through the side vent.

In some instances, the system may further comprise one or more guideblades and one or more contoured blades. In some examples, the one ormore guide blades may be straight and the one or more contoured bladesmay be curved.

In some instances, the sensor may be mounted to a vehicle. In someexamples, system may further include the vehicle.

Some aspects of the disclosure may be directed to a system for coolingsensor components, the system may comprise: a sensor having a rotatablesensor housing; a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate thesensor housing around an axis; a main vent integrated into the sensorhousing, wherein the rotation of the sensor housing pulls air into aninterior portion of the sensor housing through the main vent; and aspoiler edge attached to the sensor housing, wherein the spoiler edgeextends radially outward from the sensor housing and includes an exhaustvent.

In some instances, the air pulled into the interior portion of thesensor housing may be exhausted out of the sensor housing through theexhaust vent.

In some instances, the system may further comprise an interior channelwithin the sensor housing connected to the exhaust vent. In someexamples, the air pulled into the interior portion of the sensor housingmay flow through the interior channel to the exhaust vent.

In some instances, the system may further comprise one or more guideblades, wherein the one or more guide blades are configured to force theair pulled into the interior portion of the sensor housing radiallyoutward from the axis.

In some instances, the system may further comprise one or more contouredblades, wherein the one or more contoured blades are configured to forcethe air pulled into the interior portion of the sensor housing throughthe interior channel and out of the exhaust vent.

In some instances, the system may further comprise a vehicle, whereinthe sensor is mounted to the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example representative view of a vehicle with sensorhousings in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an example external view of a sensor housing with internalsensor components in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an example illustration of airflow through a sensor having amain vent located on a top portion in accordance with aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4 is an example illustration of airflow through a sensor housinghaving a main vent located on a base portion in accordance with aspectsof the disclosure.

FIG. 5A is an example illustration of guide blades in the interior of asensor housing having a main vent located on a top portion in accordancewith aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5B is an example illustration of contoured blades in the interiorof a sensor housing having a main vent located on a top portion inaccordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5C is an example illustration of airflow through the interior of asensor housing having a main vent located on a top portion in accordancewith aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6A is an example illustration of guide blades in the interior of asensor housing having a main vent located on a base portion inaccordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6B is an example illustration of contoured blades in the interiorof a sensor housing having a main vent located on a base portion inaccordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6C is an example illustration of airflow through the interior of asensor housing having a main vent located on a base portion inaccordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an example illustration of airflow through a channel in theinterior of a sensor housing in accordance with aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 8 is an example illustration of airflow output across a housingwindow in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This technology relates to cooling the interior of a sensor housing, andassociated computer components positioned therein, by using convectiveair flows. In this regard, a sensor may be comprised of internal sensorcomponents, such as sensors and processors, and housing. The housing mayprotect the internal sensor components and processors from elements,such as rain, snow, dust and other such debris. However, operation ofthe internal sensors components, processors, and solar energy may resultin excessive heat within the housing. Such excessive heat mayprematurely degrade the internal sensor components and processors andpossibly overheat the processors making them inoperable.

To dissipate the heat within the sensor housing, a convective air flowmay be passed through the sensor housing. In this regard, the rotationof the sensor housing may generate a centripetal force which pulls coolair located externally from the sensor into the interior of the sensorhousing. The cool, pulled in air may be directed across the sensor'sinternal components, thereby drawing heat away from the sensor'sinternal components. The heated air may then be directed out of thesensor housing.

A vehicle may have one or more sensors to detect objects external to thevehicle such as other vehicles, obstacles in the roadway, trafficsignals, signs, trees, etc. For example, the vehicle 101, as shown inFIG. 1, may include lasers, sonar, radar, cameras and/or any otherdetection devices that capture images and record data which may beprocessed by computing devices within the vehicle. The vehicle'ssensors, such as LIDAR, radar, cameras, sonar, or other such imagingsensors, may capture images and detect objects and their characteristicssuch as location, orientation, size, shape, type, direction and speed ofmovement, etc. Images may include the raw (i.e., unprocessed) datacaptured by the sensors and/or pictures and videos captured by camerasensors. Images may also include processed raw data. For instance, theraw data from the sensors and/or the aforementioned characteristics canbe quantified or arranged into a descriptive function or vector forprocessing by the computing devices. The images may be analyzed todetermine the vehicle's location, and to detect and respond to objectswhen needed.

The sensors may be arranged around the vehicle's exterior or interior.For example, housings 130, 140, 142, 150, 152 may include, for example,one or more LIDAR devices. The sensors may also be incorporated into thetypical vehicle components, such as tail lights/turn signal lights 104and/or side view mirrors 108. In some instances one or more laser,radar, sonar, camera and/or other such imaging sensors may be mounted onthe roof, such as in housing 122, attached to mount 120.

A vehicle sensor may be comprised of internal sensor components and ahousing for housing the internal sensor components. For instance, thehousing 215, which may be compared to housings 122, 130, 140, 142, 150,and 152, may be configured such that it has a domed shaped top portion217 with a side wall 205, such that the housing is in the shape of afrustum, as shown in FIG. 2. Although the sensor housing is shown in theshape of a frustum, the sensor housing may be configured in variousshapes and sizes, such as spheres, cylinders, cuboids, cones, prisms,pyramids, cubes, etc., or any combination of such shapes. The sensorhousing 215 may be comprised of materials such as plastic, glass,polycarbonate, polystyrene, acrylic, polyester, etc.

The sensor housing may include a housing window constructed at a certainlocation on the sensor housing such that the internal sensor componentsmay transmit and receive one or more signals through the housing window.For instance, the side wall 205 of the sensor housing 215 may include aflat portion 226 in which housing window 216 is incorporated to allowsignals (not shown) from internal sensor components 260 to penetrate thesensor cover 215, as further shown in FIG. 2. Although, the housingwindow 216 is shown as being circular in FIG. 2, various other shapesmay also be used for the housing window. In addition, the housing windowmay be incorporated onto non-flat surfaces of the housing.

In some instances the entire sensor housing 215, or a large portion ofthe sensor housing 215, may be penetrable by the signals transmitted andreceived by the internal sensor components, thereby allowing a largeportion or the entire sensor housing 215 to function as a housingwindow. Although the housing window 216 is shown as being only a portionof the side wall 205, in some instances the entire side wall 205 may beconstructed as a housing window. Further, multiple housing windows maybe positioned on the sensor housing 215. The housing window 216 may becomposed of the same, or different, material as the sensor housing 215.

The sensor 201 and/or sensor housing 215 may be attached to a motor viaa sensor shaft. For instance, as further shown in FIG. 2, the sensorshaft 230 may include a first end 232 and a second end 234. The firstend of the of a sensor shaft 232 may be attached to a sensor motor 220and the second end of the sensor shaft 234 may be connected to thesensor 201 and/or sensor cover 215, such as at the base portion 206 ofthe sensor cover. In this regard, the first end of the sensor shaft 232may be attached to the motor 220 via a belt, gear, chain, frictionroller, etc. The motor 220 may rotate the sensor shaft 230 in the firstdirection 235 causing the entire sensor 201 and/or sensor housing 215 toalso rotate in the first direction 235. In some embodiments the sensorshaft 230 may only rotate the sensor housing 215, and not the internalcomponents 260 of the sensor. The sensor 201, sensor housing 215, and/ormotor 220 may each be located internally or externally from a vehicle.Although FIG. 2 shows the sensor 201 being attached to the motor 220 viaa shaft 230, the motor 220 may be integrated or otherwise directlyconnected to the sensor 201 and/or sensor housing 215.

The sensor housing may include a main vent through which air may flowinto the interior of the sensor housing. The main vent may be positionedin a location where a pressure differential between the air locatedexternally from the sensor housing and the air within the interior ofthe sensor housing occurs, such as on or near the axis of rotation ofthe sensor housing. The pressure differential may be formed by thecentripetal force generated by the rotation of the sensor housinglowering the pressure within the sensor housing relative to the airoutside of the sensor housing. In this regard, the centripetal forceincreases the pressure the further outwards the air flows. Accordingly,a low pressure is generated near the axis of rotation and a highpressure is generated towards the perimeter where the side vents,described herein, are located. In some instances a sensor housing mayinclude two or more main vents. The pressure differential may cause airto flow through the main vent into the lower pressure interior of thesensor housing.

For example, sensor 301 shown in FIG. 3 and which may be compared tosensor 201, includes a main vent 320 positioned on the sensor housing315 at the center of the top portion 317. As further illustrated in FIG.3, the main vent 320 is positioned on the axis of rotation, illustratedby line 326, of sensor 301 as it moves in a first direction, illustratedby arrow 327. Air may pass from the higher pressure location outside ofthe sensor housing 315, through the main vent 320, to the lower pressurelocations in the interior of the sensor housing caused by the rotationof the sensor housing 315, as illustrated by arrow 370.

In another example, sensor 401 shown in FIG. 4 and which may be comparedto sensors 201 and/or 301, includes a main vent 420 positioned on thesensor housing 415 in the center of the base portion 418. As furtherillustrated in FIG. 4, the main vent 420 is positioned on the axis ofrotation, illustrated by line 426, of sensor 401 as it moves in a firstdirection, illustrated by arrow 427. Although sensor 301 shows the mainvent 320 as being centered on the top portion 317 and sensor 401 showsthe main vent being centered on the base portion 418, the main vent maybe offset from the axis of rotation. Air may pass from the higherpressure location outside of the sensor housing 415, through the mainvent 420, to lower pressure locations in the interior of the sensorhousing caused by the rotation of the sensor housing 415, as illustratedby arrow 470.

The main vent may include a permeable cover which allows air to passinto the interior of the sensor housing while at the same time blockingparticles and debris from entering into the interior of the sensorhousing. In some instances, a filter may be positioned in or near themain vent to filter out particles and debris from the cool air which ispulled into the interior of the sensor housing. For example, main vent320 of sensor 301 includes a filter cover 321 to block particles anddebris from traveling through the main vent 320.

Side vents may be positioned on the sensor housing to vent air to theexterior of the sensor housing. The side vents may be one or moreopenings in the sensor housing which are configured to allow air to flowfrom high pressure locations within the interior of the sensor housingto lower pressure locations outside of the sensor housing. The sidevents may include one or more covers, louvers, and/or filters which mayprevent particles from passing through the sensor housing.

The side vents may be positioned at a location on the sensor housingwhere air vented out of the sensor housing is directed away from thesensor housing's main vent to avoid recirculating air through the sensorhousing. For instance, the side vents may be positioned at a locationthat vents the air in a radial direction relative to the main vent. Forexample, and as shown in FIG. 3, side vents 330 are positioned on theside wall 305 near the base portion 318 of the sensor housing 315 whenthe main vent 320 is on the top portion 317 of the sensor 301. Air fromwithin the sensor housing 315 may be output through the side vents 330in a direction radial direction relative to the main vent 320, asillustrated by arrows 372.

In another example, and as shown in FIG. 4, side vents 430 may bepositioned on the side wall 405 near the top portion 417 when the mainvent 420 is on the base portion 418 of the sensor 401. Air from withinthe sensor housing may be output through the side vents 430 in adirection radial direction relative to the main vent 420, as illustratedby arrows 472.

Guide blades may be positioned and mounted, or otherwise integrated,into the interior of the sensor housing. In this regard, the guideblades may be positioned around the axis of rotation of the sensor tomove air away from the main vent to other portions of the interior ofthe sensor housing. The guide blades may remain fixed relative to thehousing. In this regard, the rotation of the guide blades and the sensorhousing may be at same rate and/or the guide blades may be permanentlyattached to the sensor housing. For example, and as shown in thecut-away top view of sensor 301 in FIG. 5A, the guide blades 511 may bepositioned around the axis of rotation 326. In the cut-away bottom viewof sensor 401 shown in FIG. 6A, the guide blades may be positionedaround the axis of rotation 426. For clarity purposes, only a singleguide blade in each sensor (i.e., sensor 301 and 401,) is labeled inFIGS. 5A and 6A.

The guide blades may be positioned anywhere within the sensor housing.However, the further radially outward the guide blades are positionedfrom the axis of rotation the more effective they may be at moving airaway from the axis of rotation. In this regard, as the sensor housingrotates, the guide blades may also rotate forcing the air within thesensor housing to move in a radial direction away from the axis ofrotation towards the side wall of the sensor. For example, and asillustrated in FIG. 5A, guide blades 511 may force air within sensorhousing 315 radially outward as illustrated by arrows 512. Similarly,guide blades 611 may force air within sensor housing 415 radiallyoutward as illustrated by arrows 612. The change in pressure the guideblades produce may increase further outwards from the axis of rotationthey extend. As such, the further the guide blades are positioned fromthe axis of rotation, the greater the change in pressure the guideblades may produce. Although the guide blades (e.g., 511 and 611,) areillustrated as being straight, the guide blades may have contours, suchas curves.

Contoured blades may be positioned and mounted, or otherwise integrated,into the interior of the sensor housing to force warmed air out of thesensor housing. In this regard, one or more contoured blades may bemounted near the side vents to force warm air from within the sensorhousing to a location outside of the sensor housing. For example, and asshown in the cut-away bottom view of sensor 301 in FIG. 5B, thecontoured blades 521 may be positioned around the axis of rotation 326.Similarly, and as shown in the cut-away top view of sensor 401 in FIG.6B, the contoured blades 621 may be positioned around the axis ofrotation 426. For clarity purposes, only a single contoured blade ineach sensor (i.e., sensor 301 and 401,) is labeled in FIGS. 5B and 6B.Although the contoured blades (e.g., 521 and 621,) are illustrated asbeing straight, the guide blades may have contours, such as curves.

The rotation of the sensor housing may also rotate the guide blades andcontoured blades to generate an airflow through the sensor housing. Inthis regard, the rotation of the sensor housing may generate acentripetal force which pulls cool air located externally from thesensor into the interior of the sensor housing. The cool, pulled in airmay be forced across the sensor's internal components by the rotation ofthe guide blades. Through convection, the air travelling past theinternal sensor components may draw heat away from the internalcomponents. The heated air may then be directed out of the sensorhousing by the rotation of the contoured blades.

For example, FIG. 5C illustrates airflow through sensor 301 whichincludes a main vent 320 located on the top portion 317 of the sensorhousing 315. As the sensor housing 315 rotates in the first direction327, a centripetal force is generated which may pull cool air downwardand through the main vent 320, as illustrated by arrow 370. The rotationof the guide blades 511 may force the cool air across the internalsensor components 360, as illustrated by arrows 371. The cool airpassing across the internal sensor components 360 may draw heat awayfrom the internal sensor components 360. The rotation of the contouredblades 521 may then force the warmed air out of the sensor housing 315through the side vents 330.

FIG. 6C illustrates airflow through sensor 401 which includes a mainvent 420 located on the base portion 418 of the sensor housing 315. Asthe sensor housing 415 rotates in the first direction 427, a centripetalforce is generated which may pull cool air in and upwards through themain vent 420, as illustrated by arrow 470. The rotation of the guideblades 611 may force the cool air across the internal sensor components460, as illustrated by arrows 471. The cool air passing across theinternal sensor components 460 may draw heat away from the internalsensor components 360. The rotation of the contoured blades 621 may thenforce the warmed air out of the sensor housing 415 through the sidevents 430.

The path of the air within the sensor housing may be controlled as theair flows through the sensor housing. In this regard, the sensor housingmay include one or more channels through which the flow may travel. Assuch, the flow of air may be controlled, such that it can be directed tocertain locations within the sensor housing, such as past internalsensor components which may requiring cooling.

For instance, and as illustrated in the cut-away top view of sensor 701in FIG. 7, sensor 701, which may be compared to sensors 201, 301, and401, may include a main vent 720 on the top portion (not shown to allowthe interior of the sensor housing to be shown) of sensor housing 715.Within the interior of the sensor 701 may be a channel 780 whichprovides a controlled path through which air may flow. The rotation ofthe sensor 701 in the first direction illustrated by arrow 727, alongwith the rotation of the contoured blades 721 positioned within thesensor housing 715, may force air, illustrated as dashed line 781, intochannel 780. The air 781 may flow through the channel 780 and out of thesensor housing at output 790. In some instances, the air may flowthrough the channel 780 to targeted locations within the sensor housing.

The heated air may be exhausted past the housing window or otherportions of the sensor housing to prevent particle buildup. In thisregard, the sensor housing and/or housing window may become covered byparticles such as water, dust, dirt, condensation, or other suchelements and debris, over time. As such, the functions of the internalsensor components may be impeded as signals transmitted and received bythe internal sensor components may be blocked by the buildup ofparticles.

To address this, a spoiler edge having a vent may be incorporated intoor attached to the sensor housing. For example, and as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, the spoiler edge 752 may be positioned adjacent to thehousing window 716 and configured such that the spoiler edge 752 extendsaway from the housing window 716 and/or sensor housing 715. As furtherillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the spoiler edge 311 may be positionedsuch that the spoiler edge is at a leading position relative to thesensor window during rotation in the first direction 727. The spoileredge may include a vent 792 through which warmed air from the interiorof the sensor can be output. Warmed air output through the vent 792 maybe output across the face of the housing window, as illustrated byarrows 793, to prevent the particles from building up on areas of thesensor housing where signals may be transmitted and/or received. Vent792 may be used in lieu of, or in conjunction with side vents, such asside vents 330. Although FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the main ventpositioned on the top portion 790 of sensor 701, the main vent may bepositioned on the bottom portion of the sensor.

The features described herein may allow for efficient dissipation ofheat within a sensor housing. As noted above, a convective airflow mayprovide cooling for components within the sensor housing. As such, theheat generated by the sensor components in sensor housing, as well asthe heat generated by solar radiation may be effectively removed.Moreover, by using guide blades and contoured blades within the sensorhousing, air is able to be moved across the surface of the internalsensor components without the need for a fan. As a fan is not requiredto cool the sensor components, noise and vibration introduced by a fanis avoided. Moreover, by avoiding the need for a fan, fewer mover partsare required to cool the interior of the sensor housing, therebydecreasing the number of potential failure points of the cooling system.Moreover, the guide inlet blades and contoured blades do not require anadditional power source.

Unless otherwise stated, the foregoing alternative examples are notmutually exclusive, but may be implemented in various combinations toachieve unique advantages. As these and other variations andcombinations of the features discussed above can be utilized withoutdeparting from the subject matter defined by the claims, the foregoingdescription of the embodiments should be taken by way of illustrationrather than by way of limitation of the subject matter defined by theclaims. In addition, the provision of the examples described herein, aswell as clauses phrased as “such as,” “including” and the like, shouldnot be interpreted as limiting the subject matter of the claims to thespecific examples; rather, the examples are intended to illustrate onlyone of many possible embodiments. Further, the same reference numbers indifferent drawings can identify the same or similar elements.

1. A system for cooling sensor components, the system comprising: asensor having a sensor housing and internal sensor components positionedwithin the sensor housing; a motor, wherein the motor is configured torotate the sensor housing around an axis; a main vent; and a side vent,wherein the rotation of the sensor housing pulls air into an interiorportion of the sensor housing through the main vent, and wherein the airpulled into the interior portion of the sensor housing is exhausted outof the sensor housing through the side vent.
 2. The cooling system ofclaim 1, wherein the main vent is positioned on a top portion of thesensor housing.
 3. The cooling system of claim 2, wherein the side ventis positioned on a side wall of the sensor housing closer to a baseportion of the sensor housing than the top portion.
 4. The coolingsystem of claim 1, wherein the main vent is positioned on a base portionof the sensor housing.
 5. The cooling system of claim 4, wherein theside vent is positioned on a side wall of the sensor housing closer to atop portion of the sensor housing than the bottom portion.
 6. Thecooling system of claim 1, further comprising one or more guide bladesfixed relative to the sensor housing, wherein the one or more guideblades are configured to force the air pulled into the interior portionof the sensor housing radially outward from the axis.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein motor is configured to rotate the one or more guideblades to force the air pulled into the interior portion of the sensorhousing radially outward from the axis.
 8. The cooling system of claim1, further comprising one or more contoured blades fixed relative to thesensor housing, wherein the one or more contoured blades are configuredto force the air pulled into the interior portion of the sensor housingthrough the side vent.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein motor isconfigured to rotate the one or more contoured blades to force the airpulled into the interior portion of the sensor housing through the sidevent.
 10. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more guideblades and one or more contoured blades.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the one or more guide blades are straight and the one or morecontoured blades are curved.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein thesensor is mounted to a vehicle.
 13. The system of claim 12, furthercomprising the vehicle.
 14. A system for cooling sensor components, thesystem comprising: a sensor having a rotatable sensor housing; a motor,wherein the motor is configured to rotate the sensor housing around anaxis; a main vent integrated into the sensor housing, wherein therotation of the sensor housing pulls air into an interior portion of thesensor housing through the main vent; and a spoiler edge attached to thesensor housing, wherein the spoiler edge extends radially outward fromthe sensor housing and includes an exhaust vent.
 15. The system of claim14, wherein the air pulled into the interior portion of the sensorhousing is exhausted out of the sensor housing through the exhaust vent.16. The system of claim 14 further comprising an interior channel withinthe sensor housing connected to the exhaust vent.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the air pulled into the interior portion of the sensorhousing flows through the interior channel to the exhaust vent.
 18. Thesystem of claim 14, further comprising one or more guide blades, whereinthe one or more guide blades are configured to force the air pulled intothe interior portion of the sensor housing radially outward from theaxis.
 19. The system of claim 16, further comprising one or morecontoured blades, wherein the one or more contoured blades areconfigured to force the air pulled into the interior portion of thesensor housing through the interior channel and out of the exhaust vent.20. The system of claim 14 further comprising a vehicle, wherein thesensor is mounted to the vehicle.